Zen Mechanics returns to Cape Town this weekend for Vortex – “Let There Be Light v:3″ happening at the “Circle Of Dreams” in Riviersonderend. Dave Mac chats to Wouter Thomassen and discovers a real Psychedelic Freedom Fighter whose love for Psytrance and its ethos is as strong as ever…

I have to ask you this as a Dutchman. What’s the deal now with the Red Light District and the Smoking shops? I believe this is on its way out in Amsterdam?

I’ve been hearing this for decades…don’t trust the rumour mill or media is all I can say :)

Why are Dutchmen always so laid back? I’ve never met one who isn’t super chilled?

Are we? I dunno…must be the fluoride.

Are you super chilled?

I’ve been called that…obviously not by people who’ve witnessed my occasional outbursts of road rage and countless run-ins with suits… mainly power-tripping airport security and custom officers, etc hehehe.

Although you started to produce in 2003 and right from your first releases, Zen Mechanics was a big hit – it took you until 2008 to release your debut album. Was there a specific reason it took so long?

My life became pretty hectic after my first few releases…I’ve been practically travelling nonstop since 2006 and on top of that it can take ages to finish a track. I guess I get bored easily and always work on many different projects simultaneously. Working on albums is a long process for sure, mainly because once you’re done with a new track,  you wanna go back to the earlier tracks and update them…it never ends really.  I had a deadline to catch though, so I was kinda forced to let it go at some point.

In fact other than “Re:modified”, an awesome remix album by the way, you have not released another album. Any plans to do so?

Cheers mate. Yeah I’m currently working on a new album which contains mainly collaborations, also I started a project with Ace Ventura (named Zentura for now, surprise, surprise). It’s strong straightforward chunky stuff for the big rigs and open-air dancefloors with lots of oldschool Trance flavours thrown in the mix…big riffs and such. We plan on taking it on the road next summer.

Whilst ‘full-on’ trance in its various forms still exists, are you also being drawn toward the sub-140 BPM beat these days or do you still like it 142-145?

I don’t really think in terms of ‘Full-on’ or ‘Progressive’, I just see it as Trance (or Psytrance in case someone asks me if I do stuff like Tiesto), I’ve always been into both slower, groovier stuff and more dense up-tempo stuff. Though it’s been a while since I made anything above 142 BPM (besides a remix for Fearsome Engine I’m working on)… 138 BPM is where it’s at for me these days. 138 is the new 140!

As one of the top Psy artists – but one that has never tried to release ‘commercial trance’ – well not as Zen Mechanics anyway – can one still make a decent living out of travelling the world playing at parties?

As long as u get enough bookings, I don’t see why not.

When will we be seeing some releases from SOURCECODE [Wouter’s new label]?

We’re gonna launch the label early 2012…we have a couple of EP’s and compilations under construction that will make some waves no doubt. We’re a small crew of dedicated people who’ve all been highly active in this scene since the mid 90′s and all share a common passion for quality Trance. Our aim is to release albums like those glorious old comps on Flying Rhino Recs etc. I’m talking proper deep, edgy Trance, none of that trendy clubby stuff that’s dominating the Beatport ‘Psytrance’ charts these days. Also there will be a sub-label dedicated to Ambient/Downtempo called Dreamcode. The website’s almost done so keep your eyes on that www.sourcecode.nu

Is the Psy-scene globally shrinking, getting bigger or has it reached its limit? i.e. staying constant.

I don’t see any signs of it shrinking… on the contrary; there’s more festivals than there’s ever been. And no it hasn’t reached it’s limit…it won’t stop till the entire planet is one massive permanent psychedelic playground.

You’ve played in SA before. What are your memories of your previous experience?

Yeah I played at Vortex Easter party which was epic. A proper psychedelic bonanza in the great outdoors the way it’s meant to be. The Vortex crew know what it’s all about. The location and vibe was top notch… though I was pretty shocked to hear about the bushfire (the day after I left), but as far as I know no one got hurt too bad and the punters and crew dealt with the situation like champs. And thank god the powers that be didn’t use it as an excuse to ban outdoor parties around Cape Town. Could be worse!

What 3 things make an awesome party?

Confetti, clowns and the absence of Cops

And lastly, what’s your favourite drink when hanging/playing at parties?

Coconut with a straw